The kind of school, a child, attends in New York is dependent on various factors. While the education system is the primary one, other determinants include the parents’ wealth, religious traditions, and the school’s performance. However, some of the latest data indicate that from the 1.24 million city children, 18% attend private, and only 10% were in the charter schools.

The performance of a child in school has long-term consequences. Thus, any parent would do anything to help them perform better. This is the more reason they will choose private and charter schools at the expense of the public neighborhoods schools.

But charter schools have been controversial

The depressing academic performance of central city schools necessitated the establishment of charter schools. The aim was to offer more conducive learning environments, which would, in return, boost the students’ performance. They have more success in some cities than in others in terms of in some cities than in others.

However, despite receiving exclusive support from those who believe in them, charter schools have come under criticism. From one end, the supports claim that they produce better results because they motivate the teachers. From another end, teachers unions claim that they take away the much-needed resources by existing public schools.

Public schools accommodate a majority of children from low-income families. Surprisingly, according to a 2019 study by Georgetown University, 47% of these children are still able to attain above-median scores in various subjects.

There are better ways of imparting learning in public schools

Any parent would stay away from any school, which is not performing well. This makes it more difficult for them to have students all year round. Unfortunately, Attempts to give a new phase to the poor-performing schools seem not to yield any fruits. Some of the challenges policymakers are struggling with include insufficient financial capability, uneven commitment from senior and middle-level managers’ among others.

There has been a suggestion of closing these schools, but again it would put an enrollment constrain on better-performing schools.